Approaches for Improving Nutritional Aspects of Cereals and Cereal-Based Foods

A special issue of Foods (ISSN 2304-8158). This special issue belongs to the section "Grain".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 18 July 2025 | Viewed by 972

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Laboratory for Cereal Chemistry and Technology, Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: cereal by-products; cereal chemistry; dough rheology; sourdough fermentation; extrusion 3D printing; high-intensity ultrasound; enzyme activity; bakery products
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory for Cereal Chemistry and Technology, Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: cereal food processing; bread; innovative technology, gluten-free; bakery products; cereal by-products; dough rheology

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory for Cereal Chemistry and Technology, Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: cereal food processing; bread; dough; wheat; biscuits; cereal products; food chemistry; food science and technology; antioxidant activity; food analysis; nutrition
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cereals are a cornerstone of global food security because they are a staple food and an important source of essential nutrients. However, optimizing the nutritional potential of cereal-based products requires a multifaceted approach that balances the needs of consumers for a healthy diet with the requirements of an attractive and safe product. The exploration of whole grains and underutilized grains, as well as the use of traditional and innovative technologies in the implementation of clean label processes, represent a comprehensive strategy to add value to cereal-based products. This Special Issue presents contemporary and traditional strategies to augment the nutritional profile of cereals and cereal-based products. The topics addressed include but are not limited to synergistic approaches that take into consideration ancient and underutilized grains, sustainable minimal or fortification processing techniques, the use of novel ingredients, and product development for specific dietary needs with consumer preferences in mind. This call to action invites the submission of research articles and reviews.

Dr. Dubravka Novotni
Dr. Bojana Voučko
Dr. Nikolina Mustač
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • cereal-based foods
  • functional foods
  • consumer preferences
  • whole grains
  • clean label
  • ancient grains
  • sustainable processing
  • product development
  • specific dietary needs

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

23 pages, 2566 KiB  
Article
Nutritional Value Improvement of Oats by Solid-State Fermentation with Monascus purpureus
by Yonghui Yu, Yingying Li, Jingjie Zhang and Jing Wang
Foods 2025, 14(10), 1703; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14101703 - 11 May 2025
Viewed by 416
Abstract
With increasing research, the nutritional value of oats is gaining recognition. Fermentation is an emerging biotransformation pattern that changes the nutritional structure of whole grains. Currently, research on whole-grain fermentation is relatively focused on phenolic compounds and their antioxidants, but less attention has [...] Read more.
With increasing research, the nutritional value of oats is gaining recognition. Fermentation is an emerging biotransformation pattern that changes the nutritional structure of whole grains. Currently, research on whole-grain fermentation is relatively focused on phenolic compounds and their antioxidants, but less attention has been given to avenanthramides (Avns) and the glycemic index (GI) in fermented oats. In this study, oats were subjected to solid-state fermentation (SSF) by Monascus purpureus for 21 days, and samples were taken at different time points. Changes in the contents of nutrients, phytochemicals, and antinutritional factors were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Additionally, a simulated in vitro digestion experiment was conducted to assess the estimated glycemic index (eGI) of SSF oats. The results revealed that the nutritional structure of oats was changed by SSF, and the Avns content significantly increased, with 3.2 times more Avns in SSF oats than in unfermented oats, including 3.05, 3.09, 3.09, and 3.7 times more Avn A, Avn B, Avn C, and Avn D, respectively, and the eGI was reduced from 40.22 to 39.97 with increasing fermentation time. In general, SSF with Monascus purpureus has improved nutritional value, significantly increased the content of active ingredients, and reduced the level of eGI and two antinutritional factors (phytate and oxalate), which provides an effective way to improve the nutritional and digestive characteristics of oats. Full article
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